10 Day Gorilla Chimps and Big 5 Safari

The great prize here is mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi, but this trip gives you far more than one forest walk. In ten days, you track rhinos on foot, search for chimps and tree-climbing lions, cruise the Nile, watch wildlife in several national parks, and finish beside Lake Bunyonyi.

I like the private format, since your group travels together rather than joining a large coach party. I also like that the major permits, park fees, meals, lodging, transport, and boat trips are bundled into the $3,500 price. The catch is the pace: long drives and early starts leave little room for slow mornings.

Key points at a glance

• Gorilla trekking is the centerpiece: You spend one hour with a mountain gorilla group after reaching it through Bwindi’s steep, wet forest.
• A strong range of wildlife activities: The plan includes rhino tracking on foot, game drives, chimp trekking, two boat trips, and a search for tree-climbing lions.
• Private guiding matters: Guides such as Tim and Gerald handle the driving, explanations, timing, and daily adjustments for your own group.
• The route covers a lot of Uganda: You move from Entebbe to Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Ishasha, Bwindi, and Lake Bunyonyi.
• Physical effort is part of the deal: Gorilla and chimp trekking can be demanding, and the itinerary includes several early departures and long transfers.
• The price includes the costly essentials: Gorilla and chimp permits, park entry, accommodation, private transport, meals, guiding, and boat fees are included.

Why this Uganda route packs in so much

This is not a leisurely safari with a few wildlife drives. It is a compact tour built around Uganda’s strongest wildlife experiences, with the gorilla permit as the headline expense and attraction.

You begin near Entebbe, then travel west and south through several very different parks. That variety is the main reason to consider the trip. Murchison Falls gives you open-country game viewing and a dramatic Nile waterfall. Kibale and Kyambura Gorge bring forest primates. Queen Elizabeth adds the Kazinga Channel and classic safari animals. Bwindi supplies the rarest encounter of all.

The tradeoff is time in the vehicle. You are covering a large part of Uganda in ten days, so the schedule favors variety over rest. If you want a trip with long afternoons at one lodge, this is not the right shape. If you want many major experiences in one booking, the plan makes good use of your days.

Day 1: A practical start in Entebbe

Your first night is in Entebbe after airport pickup by Big Apes Africa Safaris. The representative transfers you to the hotel, and the briefing can happen that evening or early the next morning, depending on your arrival time.

That flexibility is useful after an international flight. You do not need to force a full program into the first few hours. Since the activity starts early, with a stated start time of 5:30 a.m., I would treat this as a recovery night and have your bags, clothing, water, and documents ready before bed.

Days 2 and 3: Rhinos, Murchison Falls, and the Nile

The first major park is Murchison Falls National Park, one of Uganda’s largest and best-known wildlife areas. The arrival day is ambitious. You travel west, take a walking safari to track white rhinos, stop for lunch on the way, visit the top of Murchison Falls, walk toward the bottom of the falls, and continue with a guided game drive before reaching the lodge.

The rhino walk is a fine early contrast to the usual vehicle safari. On foot, you pay closer attention to tracks, distance, and the ranger’s instructions. The experience is not simply about seeing an animal. It is about approaching wildlife under supervision and learning how a large animal occupies its surroundings.

Murchison Falls itself supplies the visual jolt. The route includes views from the top and a walk toward the bottom, so you see the falls from more than one angle. The Nile is forced through a narrow gap before plunging downward, and the scenery gives this busy day a clear highlight.

Day 3 begins with an early game drive. Elephants, hartebeests, antelopes, and many bird species are among the possible sightings. Lions and leopards may also appear, though no safari can promise either animal on a particular drive.

After lunch, you cruise along the Nile toward the bottom of the falls. This is a different kind of wildlife viewing, with the boat allowing you to watch from the water rather than from a road. The itinerary also allows an optional evening game drive, so you can choose more safari time or a quieter evening after two active days.

Day 4: The long move to Kibale

Day 4 takes you south toward Kibale National Park, known here as the base for the next forest activities. The drive is listed at about six hours, with lunch along the way.

This is mainly a transfer day, so set your expectations accordingly. You can rest at the lodge or take a guided community walk after arrival. That option gives the day some flexibility, but it is sensible to judge your energy honestly. The next morning brings another walk, and the later days become more demanding.

A notable extra is the optional community or cultural tour. It is not required, and the supplied plan does not specify its exact content, so you should see it as an add-on rather than a central feature. For anyone interested in life outside the parks, it may provide a useful change from wildlife viewing.

Day 5: Bigodi Wetlands and Queen Elizabeth National Park

The morning walk at Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary covers a 4.5-kilometer circuit through forest and swamp. This is one of the best parts of the itinerary for birdwatching and monkey viewing, with several forest species possible along the route.

The walk is long enough to feel like a real outing, but it is not the same physical test as gorilla trekking. You are likely to spend time listening, scanning branches, and moving at a steady pace. Bring water and footwear that can cope with wet ground.

After Bigodi, you transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The timing aims for an afternoon boat trip on the Kazinga Channel, a waterway known for birds and mammals. Boat viewing changes the rhythm again. Instead of following a road and stopping at sightings, you watch the banks and water from one moving platform.

An evening game drive is optional. That choice is helpful because the day already includes a walk, a transfer, and a boat trip. You can continue searching for animals, or use the evening to rest at the lodge.

Day 6: Chimpanzees at Kyambura Gorge and the move to Ishasha

You start early and report to Kyambura Gorge for a chimpanzee trek. After a briefing, you join a small group led into the forest by a park ranger. The activity usually takes about three hours, including one hour in the company of the chimps.

The small-group format matters here. Forest tracking works better when people can move quietly and stay together. You should carry enough drinking water, as the walk takes place in a natural setting rather than along a simple paved trail.

The chimp encounter is not guaranteed in the same way that a scheduled performance would be. You are tracking animals through a forest, so the walk itself is part of the experience. That uncertainty is worth accepting if you want a more natural encounter.

After the trek, the route continues to Ishasha, famous for its tree-climbing lions. You check in and then take a game drive, with the chance to watch the sun go down in the open bush. The plan describes drinks during the sunset stop, but personal purchases are not listed among the inclusions, so budget for items of your own.

Day 7: Ishasha wildlife and the road to Bwindi

The day begins with an early game drive in Ishasha. Elephants, lions, leopards, and birds are all possible, and the schedule notes that lions may be easier to find once the sun is fully out and the day warms.

This creates a useful choice. You can stay out longer in search of lions, or return to the lodge for a break before continuing. The best option depends on how much energy you have left after the chimp trek and the previous drives.

Later, you transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The listed activity time is about two hours, but the full travel day may feel longer because of the early drive and the move between parks. This is the point where you should protect your energy. Gorilla trekking comes next, and you want to arrive rested enough to enjoy it.

Day 8: The main event, gorilla trekking in Bwindi

Gorilla day starts with breakfast and a drive to the forest briefing point. Park staff explain the rules and the plan, then groups of up to eight people head into Bwindi with a ranger.

You are advised to bring plenty of water, a packed lunch, and rain gear. That advice is not decorative. Bwindi is a tropical rainforest, and conditions can be wet. The forest route may also include slippery or steep sections.

A porter is available for $15. Even if you normally carry your own day bag, I would consider using one. The porter can carry your gear and offer a hand on steep or slick sections. The fee also gives you more freedom to concentrate on the forest and the gorillas rather than managing a pack.

Once you find the gorillas, you have one hour with them before returning. The one-hour limit keeps the encounter controlled and gives the animals space. The trek itself may take longer than expected because the gorillas move, so you need patience and a reasonable level of fitness.

This is the trip’s defining experience, but it is not an easy sightseeing stop. You should be comfortable walking for several hours, handling uneven ground, and staying focused in wet conditions. The reward is the chance to watch mountain gorillas at close range under ranger supervision.

Day 9: A quieter finish at Lake Bunyonyi

After the intensity of Bwindi, Lake Bunyonyi gives you a softer day. The morning is at leisure before the transfer to the lake, where you can swim in the lake or use the lodge pool.

You can also take a canoe trip and explore nearby communities. The canoe outing is included, as is the boat cruise fee listed for the tour. This is a useful pause before the final return to Entebbe, especially if the gorilla trek left you tired.

The itinerary describes Lake Bunyonyi as one of Uganda’s most beautiful lakes and notes its great depth. You do not need to fill every hour here. A slow afternoon, a swim, or time on the water may be exactly what the schedule needs after so many early starts.

Day 10: The Equator stop and return to Entebbe

The final transfer returns you to Entebbe, with lunch at the Equator as a planned stop. After lunch, you can shop for African crafts before continuing to Entebbe International Airport.

The day is listed at about nine hours, so do not schedule a tight onward flight without checking the timing carefully. The craft-shopping stop is optional, and personal purchases are not included.

The return journey is a practical end to a route that has crossed much of Uganda. It also means the tour ends where it began, at the meeting point in Entebbe.

What the $3,500 price really covers

At $3,500 per person, this is a major purchase, but the listed inclusions make the price easier to assess. You receive private transportation, accommodation, a safari guide, park entry fees, chimp and gorilla permits, boat cruise fees, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the nine nights and ten-day schedule.

The gorilla and chimpanzee permits are especially important to the value calculation. Those are not small add-ons that you discover after booking. They are included alongside the transport and lodging, which makes the headline price more transparent.

You still need to pay for airfares, visa charges, tips, laundry, souvenirs, and other personal items. The $15 porter fee at Bwindi is also separate. I would keep extra money available for those costs rather than treating the package price as your full trip budget.

The private setup is another part of the value. Your own group participates, and guides such as Tim and Gerald are named in the supplied experience information. Tim is described as warm, professional, and helpful throughout the ten days, while Gerald is noted for careful driving, friendliness, and clear explanations. Those qualities matter on a trip with long road days and repeated early starts.

The hard parts you should take seriously

The tour requires moderate physical fitness, and that phrase should not be brushed aside. The Bigodi circuit covers 4.5 kilometers. The chimp trek usually takes around three hours. Gorilla trekking can involve steep, slippery forest sections and may require several hours of walking.

The schedule is also demanding. Several days begin early, and the route includes substantial transfers between parks. You should pack light enough to manage your own essentials, but bring rain gear, sturdy walking shoes, water, and clothing suitable for wet forest conditions.

The biggest drawback is that the itinerary leaves little spare time. Optional evening game drives are offered, but you may sometimes prefer sleep. The trip gives you many chances to see wildlife, yet you pay for that variety with a fast pace.

Who should book this safari?

I would recommend it to you if gorillas are a top priority and you also want a broad Uganda experience rather than a single-park visit. It suits people who enjoy active days, wildlife tracking, early starts, and the practical comfort of private transport.

It is also a good fit if you want the major permits and park fees handled in one package. The route has enough variety to keep a dedicated wildlife fan interested, from rhinos and Nile scenery to chimps, gorillas, lions, elephants, birds, and hippos or other mammals along the water.

I would hesitate if you dislike long drives, need a slow holiday, or have concerns about steep and slippery walking. You should also confirm the exact lodging details and pickup arrangements before paying, since the supplied information names accommodation as included but does not list the individual properties.

Booking is flexible in one useful way: cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

FAQ

Where does the safari start?

The safari starts with pickup in Entebbe, near Kampala, after your arrival in Uganda. The stated start time is 5:30 a.m.

Where does the safari end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Entebbe after the return journey from Lake Bunyonyi.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately ten days.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

Are gorilla and chimpanzee permits included?

Yes. The package includes both the chimpanzee trekking permit and the gorilla trekking permit.

What meals are included?

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included for the tour schedule. The inclusions list specifies nine breakfasts, nine dinners, and ten lunches.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation and a safari guide are included.

How many people are in a gorilla trekking group?

For the gorilla activity, participants are distributed into groups of up to eight people and led by a park ranger.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.